Grace Alice Nanyes Menchaca
Oct. 25, 1925 - June 18, 2012

Born in Dallas, TX, to Della Falcon and Ollie Nanyes. She was their second daughter, behind her beloved sister and best friend, Charlene. Two brothers followed, Ollie II and Clark. The family led a colorful, Bohemian lifestyle: at times living off the beach in Corpus Christi, other times running a food stand, a recycling business and even providing libations for local speakeasies. As a young adult during WWII, Grace and her sister served their country as civilian drivers, shuttling troops to and from local air bases.

She married Martin Menchaca in 1947 and that union produced 5 children: Sheila, Sharon, Nancy, Geraldine and Titos.

A stay-at-home mom during her children's' formative years, Grace was nonetheless very active in volunteer work as a frequent home-room mother and, later, PTA president at Metz Elementary. After her youngest started school, she took a job in the lunch-room but quickly moved into a support role in the office.

This became her calling, and for the next 30 years she worked various jobs throughout AISD, including Home Visitor and Attendance Clerk, until her retirement.

Free to pursue her passions, Grace spent time traveling, grow-ing her prized African Violets, produced a cookbook and took up oil painting.

At the time of her passing, she was survived by four of her children, 16 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held for Grace on Thursday, June 21 at Emmanuel Methodist Church, 200 Brushy St., Austin, 78702, with receiving beginning at 6:00 p.m. and service at 7. There will be a reception with light refreshments in the community hall immediately after.